The world's most expensive painting was auctioned off at a
staggering price of $450 million Wednesday, offering a glimpse
not only at the supposed artwork of
a world-renowned artist, but the prohibitively expensive world of
art.

Ad

Bidding on Leonardo da Vinci's "Salvator Mundi," which translates
to "Savior of the World," opened at $70
million, but increased almost immediately to $95 million. The
26-inch-tall depiction of Christ dates back to
around 1500, and is one of the fewer than 20 artworks in
existence that is generally accepted to be from Leonardo da
Vinci.

As the price went up, agents could be seen frantically discussing
the developments over the phone with their clients. During the
proceeding, Jussi Pylkkänen, Christie's Global President and
auctioneer for the sale, made a few classy quips during the
process.

"Are we all done," Pylkkänen coolly asked the room at one point,
gesturing toward the busy agents. "Maybe not, don't take the
photograph quite yet."

But the bidders weren't done. Nearly 20 minutes after the start
of the auction, the last bid was finalized with an audible smash
of Pylkkänen's gavel. A buyer's premium and fees would eventually
be tacked on to the final bid, bringing the total price to
$450,312,500.